Tension device



A. H. SAWThLL. I TENSION DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 1921- 1,402.,s94. Patented Jan. 10,1922.

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TENSION DEVICE.

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Specification of Letters'Patent.

Patented Jan. 10, 1922.

Application filed May 2, 1921. Serial No. 466,091.

1' 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT H. SAWTELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of lthode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tension Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for con trolling the tension from cops, bobbins, or other elements of silk or cotton filaments composed of fine strands.

In ball controllers heretofore the ball has rested on or in a relatively stationary metal semispherical seat transversely of which passed the filament in contact with both the seat and ball.

Such structures have proved inadequate because the silk filaments have cut .the metal of the stationary seat even when the latter was of steel or other hard substances, thus rendering the device useless. Most metals employed for such seats have become corroded.

The essential objects of my invention are to overcome the enumerated disadvantages and to afford an extended longitudinal line bearing for the filament rather than a bearing limited in extent longitudinally to the apex of the ball. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof.

My invention consists, therefore, in the means for producing the results specified substantially as hereinafter claimed.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and which are illustrative merely,-

Figures 1 and 2 are a plan and a side elevation respectively of my novel device, and

Figures 3 and 4, sections respectively of the same on line 3-3 and 4.l of Figure 1.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the views.

In the form of my device herein illus tratcd the body includes a base 8 provided in its lower portion with a longitudinally disposed opening 11 adapted to accommodate one of a series of supporting rods 12 carried by any structure. A set screw 14% in the base is engageable with the latter rod.

Attached to the base 8 of the body is a vertical cylindrical wall 16 whose bore 17 constitutes a guideway. The wall 16 in this case embraces a cylindrical reduced portion 19 of the base and is engaged by a set screw 20 in the wall adapted to engage the side of the portion 19.

Extending diametrically of the guideway above the base is a shaft 22 fast in the wall 16. In this instance the shaft has an end in asmooth opening 23 in the wall, and upon its other end is a thread 24; engaged in a threaded opening 25 in the wall. Rotatably mounted on the shaft and floating thereon is a seat in the form of a metal roller 27 provided with a concave periphery or operating face 28. This seat is disposed centrally of the bore or guideway'li. A steel ball rests solely by gravity upon the concave face 28 of the rotary seat 27 with its face in contact with the concave periphery at every point lengthwise of the seat, thus affording an extended, narrow, arcuate line of contact between the parts longitudinally of the seat. The ball 30 is preferably a loose or sliding fit on the guideway 17.

At diametrically opposite points in the wall 16, in the, plane of the lowest point of the portion of the periphery of the seat which is in contact with the ball are'located thread openings consisting in this case of holes 32 fast in which are porcelain eyelets 33. These openings are disposed at right angles to the axis of the seat 27. The course tween the seat and ball is indicated. by the broken lines 35 in Figure 4.

Openings 37 may be provided in the wall 16 below the seat to facilitate the escape of lint if any should accumulate.

In operation the filament is maintained in a horizontal position by the location of the thread openings, directs the filament over the center of the seat, and prevents the same from escaping above the ball or from assuming an inclined position relatively to the latter. In case of any material variation of the tension of the filament as it is fed the arcuate line of contact between the seat and ball still insures the action of the ball upon the filament. Since the seat 27 is rotary the passage of the filament thereover merely revolves the ball and rotates the seat without cutting any groove in the latter. By virtue of the set screw the portion 16 of the body. is adjustable upon the base, if so desired. to conform to any relative position of the feeding cop and winding beam for the of the filament through the openings and ber the guideway, and a ball movable in the guideway engageable with the seat, V

2. In a tension device of the character described, a body provided with a vertical guideway and with lateral openings for fila I ment communicating therewith, a rotary seat interposed in the guidewayfintermediate the openings provided with .a concave periphery, and a ball movablein the guideway registerable in the concave periphery of the seat.

8. In a tension device of the character described, a body provided with a vertical guideway and with lateral openings dis posed diametrically opposite each other, a shaft in the body below the openings extending transversely of the guideway, a seat rotatably mounted on the shaft provided with an annular concave operating face, and a ball movable in the guideway registerable Y in the concave portion of the seat.

a. In a tension device of the character de scribed, a body comprising a base and a tubular'portion movable on the base, a set screw, in the tubular portlon engageable with the base, said tubular portion being provided with lateral openings for the admission of a filament, a shaft in the tubular portion adjacent the openings, a concave seat on the shaft, and a ball movable in th guideway engageable with the seat. I

r 5. In a tension device of the character described, a body provided with a vertical guideway and with lateral thread openings,

a shaft-fast in the body adjacent the openings, afloating seat rotatably mounted on the shaft provided with an annular concave operating face, and "a ball movable in the guideway registerable in the concave portion of the seat. 1 a

lnrtestimony whereofI have afiixed' my signature. i V 1 .7

' ALBERT H. SAWTELL. 

